FishingReport

Iowa Fishing Report

www.iowadnr.gov

April 23, 2024

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at the tailwater at Lynxville is 616.5 feet and is predicted to rise several feet to 618.4 feet. Water temp at Lock & Dam 9 in Lynxville is 57 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Fish the flooded timber as the river rises using light tackle and small plastic baits for spring crappie.
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegill will begin staging in the shallows to feed pre spawn as water temps rise near 60.Use light tackle fished close to shore in cover.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish anglers have been catching a few channel cats this week on crawlers.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The largemouth bite is picking up with summerlike temps. Fish in upper portions of backwaters away from current.
Northern Pike	Fair	Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Fish the shallows along weed beds in backwaters.
Sauger	Slow	Anglers are catching some nice sized sauger on jigs and minnows below the dam.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners along main channel rock shorelines.
Walleye	Fair	The walleye spawn is coming to an end. Fish the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams with hair jigs tipped with a minnow.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Perch are well into the spawn and biting on plastics or live minnows and worms.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at Guttenberg has risen several feet in the tailwaters this week to 8.1 feet and expected to rise to 10.1 feet. Water clarity is diminished and temperature is 53 degrees. Tailwater fishing at the Lock & Dam will be more difficult with rising water. The dock is in at the Guttenberg ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Fish the flooded timber as the river rises using light tackle and small plastic baits for spring crappie.
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegill will begin staging in the shallows to feed pre spawn as water temps rise near 60.Use light tackle fished close to shore in cover.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Catfish anglers have been catching a few channel cats this week on crawlers.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The largemouth bite is picking up with summerlike temps. Fish in upper portions of backwaters away from current.
Northern Pike	Fair	Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Fish backwaters along weed edges.
Sauger	Slow	Sauger are biting on a jig and minnow, however a lot of sorting is happening.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners along main channel rock shorelines.
Walleye	Fair	The walleye spawn is coming to an end. Fish the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams with hair jigs tipped with a minnow.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Perch are biting on plastics or live minnows and worms. Fish from shore at the Guttenberg boat ramp.

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 8.5 feet and is expected to rise over 9 feet. Water temperature is 54 degrees. The docks are in at New Albin Landing. Use caution to not back into the scour hole off the end of the ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish the flooded timber as the river rises using light tackle and small plastic baits for spring crappie.
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegill will begin staging in the shallows to feed pre spawn as water temps rise near 60.Use light tackle fished close to shore in cover.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish anglers have been catching a few channel cats this week on crawlers.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The largemouth bite is picking up with summerlike temps. Fish in upper portions of backwaters away from current.
Northern Pike	Fair	Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Fish the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes.
Sauger	Slow	Fish the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams with hair jigs tipped with a minnow.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners along main channel rock shorelines.
Walleye	Fair	The walleye spawn is coming to an end. Fish the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams with hair jigs tipped with a minnow.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Perch are biting on plastics or live minnows and worms. Fish Shore Slough, Lansing marina or Village Creek area.

Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to rise a couple of feet next week. Water temperature is in the upper 50's. Clarity is poor due to recent precipitation. Fish along current breaks or areas with little current as the river is rising.

Mississippi River Pool 12

The river is rising at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 7.7 feet and 10.0 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 56, and the water clarity is good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Bullhead	Good	Worm on the bottom is catching some black bullheads which will bite readily early in the season. Muddy backwater areas are the best bet.
Black Crappie	Fair	A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite should return after water warms.
Northern Pike	Slow	The pike spawn should be over, and pike will start a post spawn feeding pattern. Some pike have been reported biting on minnow imitation lures.
Sauger	Slow	It was an off and on Spring for walleyes and sauger. Usually not a lot of big fish being caught but many small fish which bodes well into the future.
Yellow Perch	Slow	It should be a good year for yellow perch but maybe this spawning season might be a tad difficult for them. They, like the pike, spawn in flooded vegetated areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13

The water level in Pool 13 is rising and is near 8.3 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is fair and the water temperature is around 57 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite should return after water warms
Bluegill	Good	Bluegills are starting to bite well and can be caught on worm rigs.
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel catfish can be caught especially in rising and dirty water. Any of the prepared smelly baits should attract abundant catfish. Move often if you do not get bites.
Northern Pike	Fair	A few pike have been reported hitting on minnow imitation lures.
Paddlefish	No Report	Paddlefish season is now closed for the year.
Rainbow Trout	Excellent	The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout early Spring. Time is running out though as the pond will soon weed over and fishing becomes difficult.
Walleye	Slow	Walleye usually bite poorly during the spawn and a few weeks after.
Yellow Perch	Slow	Some reports of yellow perch being caught on worm rigs in the backwater lakes.

Mississippi River Pool 14

The water level is rising at Fulton, and is near 7.6 feet, 11.2 feet at Camanche and 6.0 feet at LeClair. Weter clarity is fair and temperature is around 58 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. Bite should return after water warms
Channel Catfish	Good	Some catfish are being caught. Seems early but anglers who are targeting them can have good catches. Try cheese baits or cut shad for bait.
Paddlefish	No Report	Paddlefish season is now closed for the year.
Walleye	Slow	The bite has been tough as usual during the spawning season. Cold windy weather just does not help either.

Mississippi River Pool 15

The water level at Rock Island is rising and near 8.9 feet. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is around 58 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	No Report

The weather has not been too conducive to fishing but some action has taken off on the Mississippi River. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 8.77 feet and forecasted to reach 10.4 feet by the middle of next week. Floodstage is 15 feet. Tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers is being reported as slow.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	Slow	Fishing is being reported as slow with the muddy water conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	Slow	Walleye fishing below the Lock and Dam is being reported as slow.
White Crappie	No Report	Start looking for crappies to move up shallow. Try fishing brush piles with jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber. Places to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 7.25 feet and forecasted to reach 8.9 feet by the middle of next week. Floodstage is 15 feet. Tailwater fishing has been slow.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	Slow	Tailwater fishing is being reported as slow with the muddy water conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. It had been mostly smaller fish with keeper sized fish mixed in.
Walleye	Slow	Tailwater fishing for walleyes has been slow.
White Crappie	No Report	Look for crappies around brush piles in Big Timber. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 8.85 feet and forecasted to reach 10.2 feet by the middle of next week. Floodstage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. Tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers is being reported as slow.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	Slow	Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	No Report	Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
White Crappie	No Report	Start looking for crappies to move up shallow. Try fishing brush piles with jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber. Try fishing the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 5.72 feet and forecasted to stay fairly steady. Floodstage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 11.19 feet. Floodstage at Burlington is 15 feet. River stage at Fort Madison is 526.07 feet and floodstage is 528.00 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	No Report	Fishing will be tough with the high and muddy water conditions. Look for saugers below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	No Report	Fishing will be tough with the high and muddy water conditions. Look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
White Crappie	No Report	Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try fishing brush piles with jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19. River levels are on the rise with recent heavy rains. Main channel water temperature is between 56-59 degrees and water clarity is poor. Tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger is being reported as slow. Look for crappies moving up shallow in the backwaters. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Few anglers out this week. Water levels up about 6 inches with recent rain. Clarity remains good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	No Report	Catfish are taking dead chub fished on or near river bed.
Smallmouth Bass	No Report	Smallies taking a variety of tackle.
Walleye	No Report	Jigs tipped with live baits like minnows working for walleye. Find eddies or drop-offs for best luck.

Decorah District Streams

With turkey season in full swing, anglers should avoid wearing red, white, or blue. Streams maintain nice holdover numbers for the casual angler. Stream stocking continues even though they are not announced. The calendar is now available on-line at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Brook Trout	Fair	Brook trout taking a variety of flies imitating gnats, midges, caddis or an occasional mayfly. Use care not to alarm it when approaching the stream in gin clear water.
Brown Trout	Good	Best time to fish spooky brown's is when water is off color. Use lures that mimic small minnows or midges.
Rainbow Trout	Good	Use a small piece of worm on a hook and fish through a deeper hole.

Lake Hendricks

Fish activity improving as water temperatures warm.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Try angling higher in water column late afternoon. Also fish along the rocky shoreline where water warms quicker.
Bluegill	Fair
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish along drop-offs or around structure. Crankbaits work well.

Lake Meyer

Fish activity improving as water temperatures warm.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Crappie in shallower water.
Bluegill	Fair	Fish around jetties. Use small jig tipped with waxworm.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Find bass along drop-offs or near woody structure near shoreline.

Turkey River (below Clermont)

Water clarity fair with levels up about a foot.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Slow	Find smallmouth bass in current breaks or rock ledges. A variety of tackle working.
White Sucker	Good	Sucker bite started. Use worm fished on stream bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels up about 4 inches and rising with good water clarity.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Brown Trout	Fair	Try using a spinner or crank bait for brownies around current breaks or deeper holes.
Smallmouth Bass	Slow
Walleye	Slow	Use jig tipped with minnow for best luck. Find fish in slack water below dams.
White Sucker	Good	The sucker bite is turning on. Use a worm on the stream bottom.

Volga Lake

Fish activity improving with warmer water temperatures.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Find crappie around structure. Use a flashy lure to attract attention.
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegills around structure near shore. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms for best luck.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish the drop-offs, downed trees, or rocky areas. Use crankbaits or spinnerbaits for best luck.

Temperatures cooler with highs in the 50's to lows in low 30's and breezy. Turkey season is in full swing until May 12. For fishing information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

Anglers are catching a few walleye and northern pike on the Cedar River.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Northern Pike	Fair	Most catches have been from anglers targeting walleye, cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Anglers have been doing best casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.
Walleye	Good	Anglers have been doing best casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

Heritage Pond

Heritage Pond will be stocked with rainbow trout this coming Saturday, April 20th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Try casting and retrieving flashy lures or jigs with tinsel for some good trout action. Also try fishing a piece of worm or waxworm under a slip bobber.

Lake Delhi

There have been reports of anglers catching some black crappie on Lake Delhi.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Locate woody structure on the river around Manchester. Try vertical jigging a lead head jig tipped with a colored tube jig for some crappie.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

There have been a few reports on the Maquoketa River of walleye and black crappie being caught. Try fishing below the Lake Delhi Dam as well for walleye and crappie.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Locate woody structure on the river around Manchester. Try vertical jigging a lead head jig tipped with a colored tube jig for some crappie.
Walleye	Fair	Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

North Prairie Lake

North Prairie Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout this coming Saturday, April 20th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Try casting and retrieving flashy lures or jigs with tinsel for some good trout action. Also try fishing a piece of worm or waxworm under a slip bobber.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

There have been a few reports on the Wapsipinicon River of anglers catching smallmouth bass and walleye.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.
Walleye	Good	Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

Angling has been fair to poor on the interior rivers with the up and down weather pattern. Most rivers have risen to some degree with the recent rainfall accumulations. There have been no reports on the surrounding area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and the stocking is fully underway. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information.

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake

Water temperatures are in the low 60's. Water levels are 12 inches below the crest of the spillway.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Try in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Fish are up to 10-12 inches.
Bluegill	Slow
Walleye	Fair	Shore fishing action has picked up from last week. Throw twisters from shore or use live bait under a bobber.

Browns Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Anglers have been picking up a few fish. For best luck, use cut bait or dip baits fished on or near the bottom. Fish can be found near shore and caught from the jetty.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye are in close to shore this time of year and some can be picked up with twisters and live bait from docks, the jetty, or along shore.

Brushy Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	A few crappie are being picked up along shore and near submerged structure. Crappie action will pick up as water temperatures continue to climb.
Largemouth Bass	Fair
Walleye	Fair	Walleye will start to feed more heavily as they recover from spring spawning activity. Fish can be picked up with twisters or live bait.
Yellow Perch	Slow

North Twin Lake

Water levels are 2-3 feet low. No courtesy docks are installed at the south boat ramps at this time due to low water levels. There is a courtesy dock at the west boat ramp at Featherstone County Park.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)

Water clarity is about 12 inches. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Anglers are starting to pick up a few perch in the marina. More fish should move in as water temperatures continue to warm.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye are being picked up along the east shore, near the inlet, and a few in the marina. The bite in the marina should improve as water temperatures continue to warm.
White Bass	Fair
Yellow Bass	Fair
Yellow Perch	Slow	Anglers have picked up some perch in the marina.

Water temperatures are around 60 degrees in many area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake

The water temperature is in the low 50's. Water level is 9.1 inches below crest. The courtesy docks are in at the City and Ritz boat ramps. A temporary courtesy dock is in at McIntosh until the new docks are installed. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow
Channel Catfish	Fair	Fish cut bait or a crawler from the wind-swept shore.
Walleye	Fair	Anglers are having some success wader fishing the East shore and around the Island. Best bite is after sunset.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Fish a small jig near the rushes.

Crystal Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow
Walleye	Slow

Rice Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Slow
Yellow Perch	Slow

Silver Lake (Worth)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report
Yellow Perch	Slow

Winnebago River

Water level is 6.98 feet.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Northern Pike	Slow
Smallmouth Bass	Fair
Walleye	Slow	Fish a jig head tipped with a minnow along current breaks.

For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake

The lake is currently a couple inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair
Yellow Perch	Fair	Sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Anglers have had some success in the morning and afternoon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair

Spirit Lake

The lake is currently 7 inches below crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Anglers have been finding fish of quality size.
Bluegill	Fair
Yellow Perch	Good	Sorting may be needed.

West Okoboji Lake

The lake is currently a couple inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair
Bluegill	Good
Pumpkinseed	Good
Yellow Perch	Fair	Sorting may be needed.

Area water temperatures have started to slowly rise and are in the low to mid 50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest with the recent rains. Most courtesy docks are now in place. The walleye season is currently closed on the IGL's until May 4th.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake

Water temperature was 58 degrees at the beginning of the week.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temperature was near 60 in some of the bays over the weekend. Has fallen into the mid 50's now. Water clarity remains fairly good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	A few of the crappies had moved in shallow but most remain out in 10-12 foot of water.

Lake Darling

Water temperature was 59 degrees over the weekend has dropped into the mid 50's over the last couple of days. Water is clearing but still brown from the runoff caused by the rain.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Earlier this week there were some crappies along the shorelines near deeper water. Most were still out in deeper water.
Bluegill	Fair	Anglers earlier this week, were catching bluegills along the rocks using small jigs.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The bass on the warmer sunny days have been moving in to shallow water to feed. They don't seem to be moving too far away from the deeper water just yet.

Lake Geode

Water temperature was 59 degrees on Monday. Water clarity was starting to improve but was hampered by a good amount of rain on Tuesday.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Anglers were picking up some crappies earlier in the week along the rock piles and mounds across from the beach area.

Lost Grove Lake

Water temperature has been in the lower to mid 50's this week. The docks were put in last week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Still picking up some crappies but they are hanging real close to deeper water.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Find the bays on the north side with the warmest water and you should be able to find the bass. Slow presentation is key. Crankbaits or jigs. Using stop and go retrieve.

For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (319) 694-2430.

Coralville Reservoir

The lake level on 4/18 is 684'. The water has dirtied up with the rains and winds. The dock at Macbride State Park is in but the Corps docks on the lake are not yet.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish rock bluffs or deeper brush piles with bright jigs or minnows.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Trolling cutbait has been working on warmer days.
White Crappie	Fair	Fish rock bluffs or deeper brush piles with bright jigs or minnows.

Diamond Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair
Largemouth Bass	Slow

Hannen Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Most fish are 8-11"
Bluegill	Fair	Most fish have been under 7" so far.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Most fish are under 15"

Kent Park Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow
Largemouth Bass	Slow

Lake Macbride

All the docks are in and the fish cleaning stations are operational. Any sized motor may be used up to 5 mph at this time. Water temps are in the mid 50's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Some fish are on trees in 10-20', some are starting to investigate shallower flats.
Bluegill	Fair
Largemouth Bass	Fair
Walleye	Slow	There are still shallow fish, especially from dusk to dawn. Otherwise fish windblown structure during the day.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Slow

Liberty Centre Pond

2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked here on 3/21. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Fair	Moving baits such as spinners, small spoons and crankbaits were working best. Scented baits and redworms are also popular.

Otter Creek Lake

The lake is still mostly dry due to the renovation project. It will fill as mother nature allows.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Docks are in, pit toilets are available, water temps are in the mid 50's. Please watch for and observe "road construction" and "road closed" signs in the park. Different areas of the park will be closed through May as roads are worked on.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Good	Fish rock bars and roadbeds during the day and shallower rock from dusk to dawn. Most fish have been smaller males.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Fair

Prairie Park Fishery

2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked here on 3/21. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Fair

Sand Lake

2000 Rainbow Trout will be stocked here on 4/19 around noon. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good

Union Grove Lake

Docks are in but no fishing report is available.

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Northern Pike	Slow
Walleye	Fair

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

East Lake Park Pond

The spring trout release happened on March 20th. 900 stocked into East Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Not much fishing pressure this week with the weather. Plenty of trout left.

Lake of the Hills

1800 rainbow trout were stocked into Lake of the Hills on March 20th


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Anglers are catching bluegills while fishing for trout. Most are a little on the smaller size yet for keeping yet.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	anglers are starting to pick up some bass (mostly smaller) moving into shallower water to feed during the warmer afternoons. Still need to use a slower presentation.
Rainbow Trout	Good	Look for them around the shallow water habitat. small jigs or worm and bobber.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

The Skunk has returned to about 1/2 bank full level. Water temperature has been running in the upper 40's to about 50 degrees.

Wilson Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	The spring stocking of 900 trout were stocked into Wilson Lake on March 20th. They have settled down to their new home. Look for them to be around the cedar trees and culvert piles just out from shore.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430

Hawthorn Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Largemouth Bass	No Report	Target the rip-rapped shorelines and brushpiles.

Lake Miami


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report	As the water warms, target brushpiles and the shoreline with small jigs.
Largemouth Bass	No Report	Target brushpiles and submerged habitat using jigs or plastics.

Lake Sugema


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Target standing timber with jigs.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Target rocky shorelines with plastics or spinnerbaits.

Lake Wapello


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow	Target brush piles as the water warms with small jigs.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Target brush piles with plastics.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)

Trout were stocked on March 23rd. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Fair	Try small plastics, spoons or spinners.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 903.10 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. The surface water temperature is 51° F. The Dedication Site boat ramp has reopened but use caution as the lake is still below recreation pool. Docks have been installed at Island View and Bridgeview. Very little fishing activity has been occurring. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Some anglers have been targetting crappie with jigs.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Try cutbait on the windblown shorelines.
Walleye	No Report	All walleye less than 15" must be immediately released unharmed.

Red Haw Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow	As the water temperature warms, look for bluegill along brush piles. Use small jigs or spinners.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Target rip-rapped shorelines and the fishing jetties with plastics or spinnerbaits.

For additional information on lakes in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Catch crappies that are beginning to move shallow near any wood habitat in 3 to 10 feet of water using live minnows or panfish plastics under a float. The peak of the spawn is likely a couple weeks away yet.
Walleye	Fair	Catch walleyes shallow in the evenings casting jigs with plastics or live minnows near rocky shorelines and jetties. Fish deeper in 10 to 20 feet of water during the day casting jigs with live minnows or plastics or trolling live bait rigs.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Fair river conditions have been good for spring walleye fishing. Catch walleyes below the dams and in the deeper pools with slow water casting jigs with twister tails, swim baits, or live minnows.
White Bass	Good	Catch White Bass below the dams in Des Moines casting jigs with plastics or minnows, and in-line spinners.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Catch walleyes in the deeper pools with slow water casting jigs with twister tails, swim baits, or live minnows.

Rock Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
White Crappie	Good	Catch crappies from shore near rock jetties casting panfish plastics or fishing live minnows under floats.

For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

Water temperature in farm ponds warm sooner than larger lakes. This makes ponds an excellent fishing destination during the spring. Remember to get permission to fish private farm ponds.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	On warm days target fish on a wind-blown shoreline for best success.
Bluegill	Fair	A small piece of crawler under a bobber works well for bluegills in ponds.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Spring is a good time to target channel catfish in ponds. Try shad sides or cut bait for best success this time of year.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Some of Iowa's best bass fishing occurs in farm ponds.

Greenfield Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Greenfield has a good population of 10 inch black crappies.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Target channel catfish in the upper end of the lake where water temperature is warmest.

Lake Anita


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Black crappie will move into the upper end of the pontoon arm on warm sunny days. Cast a small jig under a bobber for best success.
Bluegill	Slow	In early spring boat anglers should target bluegills around deep tree piles and along the roadbed in the lake.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Anglers report catching largemouth bass with a slow presentation around deep structure.

Prairie Rose Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish around underwater reefs and rock piles to find pre-spawn black crappies. Fish will average 11 inches.
Bluegill	Slow	Target bluegills around their winter habitat.
Largemouth Bass	Fair

Viking Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Anglers were catching 8 to 9 inch black crappies in the pontoon area this week. The morning bite was best.
Bluegill	Slow
Channel Catfish	No Report
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Viking Lake has a good largemouth bass population.

For information on lakes in the Cold Springs District call (712) 769-2587.

Green Valley Lake

Docks are in at boat ramps.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Use jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas for Largemouth Bass of all sizes.

Lake Icaria

Docks are in at the marina and southeast boat ramp near Lake View Campground

Little River Watershed Lake

Dock is in at the main boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Use small jigs tipped with a minnow or twistertails fished near cedar tree brushpiles for Crappie of all sizes.

Three Mile Lake

Lake level is currently 8 feet below normal pool.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Slow	Use twistertails or crankbaits fished along the dam for Walleye of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Docks is in at main boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Try using jigs tipped with a minnow or twistertails fished along cedar tree brushpiles for Crappie of all sizes.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Use jigs or finesse plastics fished along rocky shoreline areas for Largemouth Bass up to 19 inches.

West Lake (Osceola)

Boat ramps remain closed due to low water conditions.

Water temperatures in most Mount Ayr district lakes are in the upper 50's to low 60's. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.